A SCHOOL pupil has been hailed a hero after saving a teacher who was choking on a plum.

Alexander Melville used first aid skills he learned as an Air Cadet when he saw the woman struggling for air.

The student, a former British under-12 judo champ, performed the Heimlich manoeuvre on the teacher.

Head teacher John Wood later phoned Alexander’s parents to say their son had probably saved the ­history teacher’s life.

Modest Alexander, 16, said yesterday he was pleased he’d taken the time to attend a first aid course as part of his training. He has attended Air Cadets for nearly three years and is a member of 1756 (Broxburn) Squadron.

Alexander, of Kirkliston, West Lothian said: “I went into a classroom to print off some cue cards for an English ­presentation when I noticed the teacher.

“I could ­immediately see she was in some kind of quite severe difficulty.

Flt Lt Grahame Kirsopp, of 1756 (Broxburn) Squadron, Air Training Corps, said: “First Aid is a core part of our training for cadets.

“We take it very seriously and we work to quite a high standard for young people of Alexander’s age.

“He is a very capable young man and we are very pleased that he has been able to put his training to extremely good use.”

Queensferry Community High School headteacher John Wood said: “The quick-thinking actions and calm response of our first aid-trained pupil, Alexander, potentially saved the life of a teacher on Thursday.

“I’ve thanked Alexander and his ­parents and the school is putting him up for a special head teacher’s award.”